The world says today is for rushing, buying, and doing. We say today is for Resting. Yesterday required a lot of emotional output. Whether it was amazing or draining, your "social battery" has likely been depleted. In our framework, we have to refill the "Me" bucket before we can move effectively into the Christmas season. Challenge: Resist the urge to launch immediately into the next thing. Wear the sweatpants. Eat the leftovers. Take the nap. Thought for the day: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." — Matthew 11:28. Rest isn't laziness; it's a spiritual discipline. Question: On a scale of 1-10, how full is your energy tank today?

Football teams don’t run onto the field without a plan, and neither should you. If you are married, the days leading up to a holiday are the prime time for a "We" huddle. This is a short, 10-minute check-in to get on the same page so you can face the "Them" (family/events) as a united front. Discuss these three things: 1. The Exit Strategy: What is our signal if one of us is overwhelmed and needs to leave or take a break? 2. The Support: How can I support you around your family? Do you need me to run interference with a specific relative? 3. The Check-In: When can we steal 5 minutes alone on Thanksgiving just to breathe and reconnect? Note for those in a hard season: If you are currently separated or your marriage isn't in a place where you can "huddle," who is your safe person? Call a trusted friend or mentor now and tell them your plan for the day. Don't go into the holiday without a wingman, even if they are just a text away. Application Question: Have you had a "huddle" yet? If not, when are you scheduling it?

We talk a lot about the Origins Protocol—how our childhood shapes our reactions. There is no greater time for "Origin" stuff to pop up than when you are back around the people you grew up with! Holidays can be amazing, but they can also be triggering. You might feel like a teenager again around your parents, or feel old insecurities flaring up. Watch for your internal "Check Engine Light." - Is your chest tight? - Are you snapping at your kids/spouse? - Do you feel the urge to shut down or run away? These are signals that you are flooded. Do not try to resolve conflict when you are flooded. If the light comes on, take a "Time Out." Go to the bathroom, step outside for fresh air, or offer to run a quick errand. Regulate your nervous system before you engage. A 10-minute break can save the whole day. Application Question: What is your "go-to" move to calm down when you feel stress rising? (Deep breaths? A walk? Prayer?)

Happy Thanksgiving, Community! 🦃 Today you’ll see picture-perfect tables and smiling faces all over your timeline — and that really is beautiful. But we also know that real life often happens in the messy in-between moments. True gratitude isn't just for the highlight reel. It is the courageous act of finding God’s grace in the middle of the chaos. It’s thanking Him for the breath in your lungs even if your heart is heavy. It’s appreciating the food on the table even if the conversation around it is strained. Whether you are surrounded by noise and family today, or sitting in a season of quiet and solitude, remember: You are seen by a God who loves you. Our prayer for you today: May you find moments of genuine peace. May you protect your "Me" time so you can be present for your "We," "Us," and "Them." And may you eat the pie without an ounce of guilt! Discussion: Drop a 🧡 in the comments if you are checking in today!

6 Days to Thanksgiving: Do You Have a Buffer? Yesterday we talked about the He > Me > We > Us > Them framework. Today, let’s zoom in on the "Me". It’s easy to think that self-care is selfish, especially during the holidays when there is so much to do. But here is the truth: You cannot pour from an empty cup. If you go into next week running on fumes, your patience will be short, your triggers will be high, and your ability to connect with your spouse or safe people will be low. We need to build a "Buffer Zone" before the holiday arrives. This isn’t about a spa day (unless you can swing it!). It’s about small, intentional deposits of rest now so you aren't bankrupt later. - For the busy parent: It might mean 15 minutes of silence in the car before walking into the house. - For the hurting heart: If this season brings up grief or loneliness, your buffer might be protecting your schedule from unnecessary noise so you have space to process. - For the couple: It might be going to bed 30 minutes early to just breathe without screens. Application Question: What is ONE thing you can do this weekend to add a "buffer" of rest or peace to your tank before Thanksgiving week kicks into high gear?